Computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a series of card games in sequence

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method is adapted for playing a series of card games in sequence. Each of the card games is associated with a respective set of card rules, and requires a player and a virtual opponent to have a set of simulated cards. The simulated cards in each of the card games increase in number with the progression of the card games in the sequence. In the method, a gaming apparatus includes a user input unit and a display unit, and the player is allowed to place a bet via the user input unit. The card games are played in sequence such that the cards in a previous card game are combined with new cards to result in the cards of a succeeding card game. A computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit, a display unit and a processor unit is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority of R.O.C. Patent Application No.090131640, filed on Dec. 20, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a gaming apparatus, more particularly toa computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a seriesof card games in sequence.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Conventional gaming apparatus allow players to play only one kindof card game. In order to maintain the interest of customers and keepthem from getting bored, business establishments must provide differentgaming apparatus and replace them with new types periodically. This notonly entails huge operating costs, but also arises in personnel trainingand apparatus maintenance problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide acomputer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a series ofcard games in sequence so as to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of theconventional gaming apparatus.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided acomputer-implemented method for playing a series of card games insequence. Each of the card games is associated with a respective set ofcard rules, and requires a player to have a set of simulated cards. Thesimulated cards in each of the card games increase in number with theprogression of the card games in the sequence. The computer-implementedmethod comprises:

[0008] (a) providing a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unitand a display unit;

[0009] (b) allowing the player to place a bet via the user input unit;

[0010] (c) playing one of the card games in the sequence, including thesteps of dealing a number of the simulated cards to each of the playerand a virtual opponent for playing said one of the card games, showingthe simulated cards that were dealt on the display unit, determining thewinner in said one of the card games in accordance with the respectiveset of card rules that are associated with said one of the card games,and adjusting a credit total for the player according to the result ofsaid one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by theplayer;

[0011] (d) playing a succeeding one of the card games in the sequence,including the steps of dealing another number of the simulated cards toeach of the player and the virtual opponent, said another number of thesimulated cards being respectively combined with the simulated cards ofthe player and the virtual opponent in the previous one of the cardgames to result in the simulated cards of the player and the virtualopponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games, showing thesimulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent on the displayunit, determining the winner in the succeeding one of the card games inaccordance with the respective set of card rules that are associatedwith the succeeding one of the card games, and adjusting the credittotal for the player according to the result of the succeeding one ofthe card games and with reference to the bet placed by the player; and

[0012] (e) repeating step (d) until all of the card games in thesequence have been completed.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided acomputer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a userinput unit,,a display unit and a processor unit coupled to the userinput unit and the display unit. The computer program product adapts thegaming apparatus for playing a series of card games in sequence. Each ofthe card games is associated with a respective set of card rules, andrequires a player to have a set of simulated cards. The simulated cardsin each of the card games increase in number with the progression of thecard games in the sequence. The computer program product comprises:

[0014] a computer readable storage medium comprising:

[0015] a first code that directs the processor unit to allow the playerto place a bet via the user input unit;

[0016] a second code that directs the processor unit to control playingof one of the card games in the sequence, including a code that directsthe processor unit to deal a number of the simulated cards to each ofthe player and a virtual opponent for playing said one of the cardgames, a code that directs the processor unit so as to show thesimulated cards that were dealt on the display unit, a code that directsthe processor unit to determine the winner in said one of the card gamesin accordance with the respective set of card rules that are associatedwith said one of the card games, and a code that directs the processorunit to adjust a credit total for the player according to the result ofsaid one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by theplayer; and

[0017] a third code that directs the processor unit to control playingof a succeeding one of the card games in the sequence, including a codethat directs the processor unit to deal another number of the simulatedcards to each of the player and the virtual opponent, said anothernumber of the simulated cards being respectively combined with thesimulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent in the previousone of the card games to result in the simulated cards of the player andthe virtual opponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games, acode that directs the processor unit so as to show the simulated cardsof the player and the virtual opponent on the display unit, a code thatdirects the processor unit to determine the winner in the succeeding oneof the card games in accordance with the respective set of card rulesthat are associated with the succeeding one of the card games, and acode that directs the processor unit to adjust the credit total for theplayer according to the result of the succeeding one of the card gamesand with reference to the bet placed by the player.

[0018] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a gamingapparatus is adapted for playing a series of card games in sequence,each of the card games being associated with a respective set of cardrules and requiring a player to have a set of simulated cards, thesimulated cards in each of the card games increasing in number with theprogression of the card games in the sequence. The gaming apparatuscomprises:

[0019] a user input unit;

[0020] a display unit;

[0021] means for allowing the player to place a bet via the user inputunit;

[0022] means for playing one of the card games in the sequence includingmeans for dealing a number of the simulated cards to each of the playerand a virtual opponent for playing said one of the card games, means forshowing the simulated cards that were dealt on the display unit, meansfor determining the winner in said one of the card games in accordancewith the respective set of card rules that are associated with said oneof the card games, and means for adjusting a credit total for the playeraccording to the result of said one of the card games and with referenceto the bet placed by the player; and

[0023] means for playing a succeeding one of the card games in thesequence, including means for dealing another number of the simulatedcards to each of the player and the virtual opponent, said anothernumber of the simulated cards being respectively combined with thesimulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent in the previousone of the card games to result in the simulated cards of the player andthe virtual opponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games,means for showing the simulated cards of the player and the virtualopponent on the display unit, means for determining the winner in thesucceeding one of the card games in accordance with the respective setof card rules that are associated with the succeeding one of the cardgames, and means for adjusting the credit total for the player accordingto the result of the succeeding one of the card games and with referenceto the bet placed by the player.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the invention, a gamingapparatus comprises a user input unit, a display unit, a processor unitcoupled to the user input unit and the display unit, and a computerprogram product for adapting the gaming apparatus for playing a seriesof card games in sequence. Each of the card games is associated with arespective set of card rules, and requires a player to have a set ofsimulated cards. The simulated cards in each of the card games increasein number with the progression of the card games in the sequence. Thecomputer program product comprises a computer readable storage mediumthat includes:

[0025] a first code that directs the processor unit to allow the playerto place a bet via the user input unit;

[0026] a second code that directs the processor unit to control playingof one of the card games in the sequence, including a code that directsthe processor unit to deal a number of the simulated cards to each ofthe player and a virtual opponent for playing said one of the cardgames, a code that directs the processor unit so as to show thesimulated cards that were dealt on the display unit, a code that directsthe processor unit to determine the winner in said one of the card gamesin accordance with the respective set of card rules that are associatedwith said one of the card games, and a code that directs the processorunit to adjust a credit total for the player according to the result ofsaid one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by theplayer; and

[0027] a third code that directs the processor unit to control playingof a succeeding one of the card games in the sequence, including a codethat directs the processor unit to deal another number of the simulatedcards to each of the player and the virtual opponent, said anothernumber of the simulated cards being respectively combined with thesimulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent in the previousone of the card games to result in the simulated cards of the player andthe virtual opponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games, acode that directs the processor unit so as to show the simulated cardsof the player and the virtual opponent on the display unit, a code thatdirects the processor unit to determine the winner in the succeeding oneof the card games in accordance with the respective set of card rulesthat are associated with the succeeding one of the card games, and acode that directs the processor unit to adjust the credit total for theplayer according to the result of the succeeding one of the card gamesand with reference to the bet placed by the player.

[0028] Because different card games are played in sequence in a singlegame round, the player's desire for variety can be satisfied, and thecosts and overhead in allocating and maintaining automated gamingapparatus in business establishments can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0030]FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit block diagram of the preferredembodiment of a gaming apparatus according to the present invention;

[0031]FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts to illustrate the preferredembodiment of a computer-implemented method for playing a series of cardgames in sequence according to the present invention; and

[0032]FIG. 4 illustrates how simulated cards are dealt when playingconsecutive card games according to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of a gamingapparatus 1 according to the present invention is adapted for playing aseries of card games in sequence. The gaming apparatus 1 comprises auser input unit 11, a processor unit 12, a display unit 13, a soundgenerating unit 14, and a power supply unit 15 coupled to the user inputunit 11, the processor unit 12, the display unit 13 and the soundgenerating unit 14. The user input unit 11 is operable so as to receivean input from the user. The display unit 13 is operable so as to showgame images thereon. The sound generating unit 14 is operable so as toprovide audible instructions and information to the user. The processorunit 12 is coupled to and controls the operations of the user input unit11, the display unit 13 and the sound generating unit 14 in accordancewith pre-programmed instructions. Preferably, the processor unit 12 isin the form of a circuit board that is mounted removably in the gamingapparatus 1 and that includes: a computer readable storage medium 121,such as a read-only memory device, recorded with program codes forperforming the computer-implemented method of this invention; a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 122 for executing the program codes; an imageprocessor 123; and a random access memory (RAM) 124. However, it shouldbe apparent to one skilled in the art that the processor unit 12 canalso be implemented with a storage medium in the form of a floppy disk,a compact disk, a game cartridge, etc.

[0034] The program codes in the storage medium 121 control game progressas follows:

[0035] Game-initiating processing: When the gaming apparatus 1 isactivated, the CPU 122 retrieves image data from the storage medium 121and sends the same to the image processor 123 for processing. The outputof the image processor 123 is sent to the display unit 13 to serve as avisual interface with the user. At the same time, audio data will besent to the sound generating unit 14 for audio effects. As such, priorto starting a game, the display unit 13 is able to show a series ofdemonstration images until a player enters a game-playing command viathe user input unit 11.

[0036] Card-dealing processing: As shown in FIG. 2 and 4, a first cardgame proceeds in step A. At the onset of the first card game, theprocessor unit 12 controls the display unit 13 for prompting the playerto place a bet via the user input unit 11 (sub-step a). Then, credittotals for the player and a virtual opponent will be stored by theprocessor unit 12 in the RAM 124. Subsequently, the processor unit 12deals simulated cards 20, 21 to the player and the virtual opponent,respectively (sub-step b) The simulated cards 20, 21 are shown on thedisplay unit 13.

[0037] Winner-determining processing: In the first card game, the facevalues of the simulated cards 20, 21 are evaluated according to a firstset of card rules, e.g. high or low, to determine the winner (sub-stepc). The credit totals of the player and the virtual opponent areadjusted accordingly with reference to the bet placed by the player(sub-step d). The updated credit totals are recorded in the RAM 124.Preferably, when neither the player nor the virtual opponent won, thebet will be accumulated to serve as the winning prize for next cardgame.

[0038] When the first card game ends, the aforesaid card-dealing andwinner-determining processing will be repeated to proceed with thesecond card game (step B) Preferably, before dealing simulated cards forthe second card game, the processor unit 12 controls the display unit 13for prompting the player to optionally raise the bet. The player canthen raise or maintain the bet via the user input unit 11. Then, theprocessor unit 12 deals simulated cards 30, 31 to the player and thevirtual opponent, respectively (sub-step e). The simulated cards 30, 31are respectively combined with the simulated cards 20, 21 in the firstcard game to result in the simulated cards for the second card game. Thesimulated cards 20, 21, 30, 31 are all shown on the display unit 13.Finally, the face values of the simulated cards for the player and thevirtual opponent are evaluated according to a second set of card rules,e.g. baccarat, to determine the winner, and the credit totals of theplayer and the virtual opponent are adjusted accordingly in a mannersimilar to that in the first card game (sub-step f).

[0039] When the second card game ends, the aforesaid card-dealing andwinner-determining processing will be repeated to proceed with the thirdcard game (step C). Preferably, before dealing simulated cards for thethird card game, the processor unit 12 controls the display unit 13 forprompting the player to optionally raise the bet (sub-step g). Theplayer can then raise or maintain the bet via the user input unit 11.Then, the processor unit 12 deals simulated cards 40, 41 to the playerand the virtual opponent, respectively (sub-step h). The simulated cards40, 41 are respectively combined with the simulated cards 20, 21, 30, 31in the second card game to result in the simulated cards for the thirdcard game. The simulated cards 20, 21, 30, 31, 40, 41 are all shown onthe display unit 13. Finally, the face values of the simulated cards forthe player and the virtual opponent are evaluated according to a thirdset of card rules, e.g. blackjack, to determine the winner, and thecredit totals of the player and the virtual opponent are adjustedaccordingly in a manner similar to that in the first card game (sub-stepi).

[0040] When the third card game ends, the aforesaid card-dealing andwinner-determining processing will be repeated to proceed with thefourth card game (step D). Preferably, before dealing simulated cardsfor the fourth card game, the processor unit 12 controls the displayunit 13 for prompting the player to optionally raise the bet (sub-stepj). The player can then raise or maintain the bet via the user inputunit 11. Then, the processor unit 12 deals simulated cards 50, 51, 52,53 to the player and the virtual opponent, respectively (sub-step k).The simulated cards 50, 51, 52, 53 are respectively combined with thesimulated cards 20, 21, 30, 31, 40, 41 in the third card game to resultin the simulated cards for the fourth card game. The simulated cards 20,21, 30, 31, 40, 41, 50, 51, 52, 53 are all shown on the display unit 13.Finally, the face values of the simulated cards for the player and thevirtual opponent are evaluated according to a fourth set of card rules,e.g. five-card poker, to determine the winner, and the credit totals ofthe player and the virtual opponent are adjusted accordingly in a mannersimilar to that in the first card game (sub-step l).

[0041] With further reference to FIG. 3, when the fourth card game ends,the aforesaid card-dealing and winner-determining processing will berepeated to proceed with the fifth card game (step E). Preferably,before dealing simulated cards for the fifth card game, the processorunit 12 controls the display unit 13 for prompting the player tooptionally raise the bet (sub-step m). The player can then raise ormaintain the bet via the user input unit 11. Then, the processor unit 12deals simulated cards 60, 61, 62, 63 to the player and the virtualopponent, respectively (sub-step n). The simulated cards 60, 61, 62, 63are respectively combined with the simulated cards 20, 21, 30, 31, 40,41, 50, 51, 52, 53 in the fourth card game to result in the simulatedcards for the fifth card game. The simulated cards 20, 21, 30, 31, 41,50, 51, 52, 53, 60, 61, 62, 63 are all shown on the display unit 13.Finally, the face values of the simulated cards for the player and thevirtual opponent are evaluated according to a fifth set of card rules,e.g. seven-hand Chinese card game, to determine the winner, and thecredit totals of the player and the virtual opponent are adjustedaccordingly in a manner similar to that in the first card game (sub-stepo).

[0042] When the fifth card game ends, the aforesaid card-dealing andwinner-determining processing will be repeated to proceed with the sixthcard game (step F) Preferably, before dealing simulated cards for thesixth card game, the processor unit 12 controls the display unit 13 forprompting the player to optionally raise the bet (sub-step p). Theplayer can then raise or maintain the bet via the user input unit 11.Then, the processor unit 12 deals simulated cards 70, 71, 72, 73, 74,75, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 to the player and the virtual opponent,respectively (sub-step q). The simulated cards 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75,80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 are respectively combined with the simulatedcards 20, 21, 30, 31, 40, 41, 50, 51, 52, 53, 60, 61, 62, 63 in thefifth card game to result in the simulated cards for the sixth cardgame. The simulated cards 20, 21, 30, 31, 41, 50, 51, 52, 53, 60, 61,62, 63, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 are all shown onthe display unit 13. Finally, the face values of the simulated cards forthe player and the virtual opponent are evaluated according to a sixthset of card rules, e.g. thirteen-card poker, to determine the winner,and the credit totals of the player and the virtual opponent areadjusted accordingly in a manner similar to that in the first card game(sub-step r).

[0043] Subsequently, it is determined whether the player can be awardedwith bonus credit (Step G). Particularly, upon determining that theplayer won in each of the card games in the sequence (sub-steps), thegaming apparatus 1 will award the player with bonus credit, and thedisplay unit 13 and the sound generating unit 14 will be enabled torender animated announcement. Thereafter, the player may start a newgame through the user input unit 11 (sub-step t).

[0044] It has thus been shown that the computer-implemented method andgaming apparatus of this invention enable players to play different cardgames in sequence in a single game round so as to satisfy their desirefor variety without increasing the operating costs of businessestablishments.

[0045] While the present invention has been described in connection withwhat is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isunderstood that this invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included withinthe spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompassall such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

I claim:
 1. A computer-implemented method for playing a series of cardgames in sequence, each of the card games being associated with arespective set of card rules and requiring a player to have a set ofsimulated cards, the simulated cards in each of the card gamesincreasing in number with the progression of the card games in thesequence, said computer-implemented method comprising: (a) providing agaming apparatus that includes a user input unit and a display unit; (b)allowing the player to place a bet via the user input unit; (c) playingone of the card games in the sequence, including the steps of dealing anumber of the simulated cards to each of the player and a virtualopponent for playing said one of the card games, showing the simulatedcards that were dealt on the display unit, determining the winner insaid one of the card games in accordance with the respective set of cardrules that are associated with said one of the card games, and adjustinga credit total for the player according to the result of said one of thecard games and with reference to the bet placed by the player; (d)playing a succeeding one of the card games in the sequence, includingthe steps of dealing another number of the simulated cards to each ofthe player and the virtual opponent, said another number of thesimulated cards being respectively combined with the simulated cards ofthe player and the virtual opponent in the previous one of the cardgames to result in the simulated cards of the player and the virtualopponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games, showing thesimulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent on the displayunit, determining the winner in the succeeding one of the card games inaccordance with the respective set of card rules that are associatedwith the succeeding one of the card games, and adjusting the credittotal for the player according to the result of the succeeding one ofthe card games and with reference to the bet placed by the player; and(e) repeating step (d) until all of the card games in the sequence havebeen completed.
 2. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim1, wherein step (d) further includes the step of allowing the player toraise or maintain the bet via the user input unit prior to dealing saidanother number of the simulated cards.
 3. The computer-implementedmethod as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: (f) awarding theplayer with bonus credit in the event that the player won in each of thecard games in the sequence.
 4. A computer program product for a gamingapparatus that includes a user input unit, a display unit and aprocessor unit coupled to the user input unit and the display unit, saidcomputer program product adapting the gaming apparatus for playing aseries of card games in sequence, each of the card games beingassociated with a respective set of card rules and requiring a player tohave a set of simulated cards, the simulated cards in each of the cardgames increasing in number with the progression of the card games in thesequence, said computer program product comprising: a computer readablestorage medium comprising: a first code that directs the processor unitto allow the player to place a bet via the user input unit; a secondcode that directs the processor unit to control playing of one of thecard games in the sequence, including a code that directs the processorunit to deal a number of the simulated cards to each of the player and avirtual opponent for playing said one of the card games, a code thatdirects the processor unit so as to show the simulated cards that weredealt on the display unit, a code that directs the processor unit todetermine the winner in said one of the card games in accordance withthe respective set of card rules that are associated with said one ofthe card games, and a code that directs the processor unit to adjust acredit total for the player according to the result of said one of thecard games and with reference to the bet placed by the player; and athird code that directs the processor unit to control playing of asucceeding one of the card games in the sequence, including a code thatdirects the processor unit to deal another number of the simulated cardsto each of the player and the virtual opponent, said another number ofthe simulated cards being respectively combined with the simulated cardsof the player and the virtual opponent in the previous one of the cardgames to result in the simulated cards of the player and the virtualopponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games, a code thatdirects the processor unit so as to show the simulated cards of theplayer and the virtual opponent on the display unit, a code that directsthe processor unit to determine the winner in the succeeding one of thecard games in accordance with the respective set of card rules that areassociated with the succeeding one of the card games, and a code thatdirects the processor unit to adjust the credit total for the playeraccording to the result of the succeeding one of the card games and withreference to the bet placed by the player.
 5. The computer programproduct as claimed in claim 4, wherein said third code further includesa code that directs the processor unit to allow the player to raise ormaintain the bet via the user input unit prior to dealing said anothernumber of the simulated cards.
 6. The computer program product asclaimed in claim 4, wherein said computer readable storage mediumfurther comprises a fourth code that directs the processor unit to awardthe player with bonus credit in the event that the player won in each ofthe card games in the sequence.
 7. A gaming apparatus for playing aseries of card games in sequence, each of the card games beingassociated with a respective set of card rules and requiring a player tohave a set of simulated cards, the simulated cards in each of the cardgames increasing in number with the progression of the card games in thesequence, said gaming apparatus comprising: a user input unit; a displayunit; means for allowing the player to place a bet via said user inputunit; means for playing one of the card games in the sequence includingmeans for dealing a number of the simulated cards to each of the playerand a virtual opponent for playing said one of the card games, means forshowing the simulated cards that were dealt on said display unit, meansfor determining the winner in said one of the card games in accordancewith the respective set of card rules that are associated with said oneof the card games, and means for adjusting a credit total for the playeraccording to the result of said one of the card games and with referenceto the bet placed by the player; and means for playing a succeeding oneof the card games in the sequence, including means for dealing anothernumber of the simulated cards to each of the player and the virtualopponent, said another number of the simulated cards being respectivelycombined with the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponentin the previous one of the card games to result in the simulated cardsof the player and the virtual opponent for playing the succeeding one ofthe card games, means for showing the simulated cards of the player andthe virtual opponent on said display unit, means for determining thewinner in the succeeding one of the card games in accordance with therespective set of card rules that are associated with the succeeding oneof the card games, and means for adjusting the credit total for theplayer according to the result of the succeeding one of the card gamesand with reference to the bet placed by the player.
 8. The gamingapparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means for playing thesucceeding one of the card games further includes means for allowing theplayer to raise or maintain the bet via said user input unit prior todealing said another number of the simulated cards.
 9. The gamingapparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising means for awardingthe player with bonus credit in the event that the player won in each ofthe card games in the sequence.
 10. A gaming apparatus comprising a userinput unit, a display unit, a processor unit coupled to said user inputunit and said display unit, and a computer program product for adaptingsaid gaming apparatus for playing a series of card games in sequence,each of the card games being associated with a respective set of cardrules and requiring a player to have a set of simulated cards, thesimulated cards in each of the card games increasing in number with theprogression of the card games in the sequence, said computer programproduct comprising a computer readable storage medium that includes: afirst code that directs said processor unit to allow the player to placea bet via said user input unit; a second code that directs saidprocessor unit to control playing of one of the card games in thesequence, including a code that directs said processor unit to deal anumber of the simulated cards to each of the player and a virtualopponent for playing said one of the card games, a code that directssaid processor unit so as to show the simulated cards that were dealt onthe display unit, a code that directs said processor unit to determinethe winner in said one of the card games in accordance with therespective set of card rules that are associated with said one of thecard games, and a code that directs said processor unit to adjust acredit total for the player according to the result of said one of thecard games and with reference to the bet placed by the player; and athird code that directs said processor unit to control playing of asucceeding one of the card games in the sequence, including a code thatdirects said processor unit to deal another number of the simulatedcards to each of the player and the virtual opponent, said anothernumber of the simulated cards being respectively combined with thesimulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent in the previousone of the card games to result in the simulated cards of the player andthe virtual opponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games, acode that directs said processor unit so as to show the simulated cardsof the player and the virtual opponent on the display unit, a code thatdirects said processor unit to determine the winner in the succeedingone of the card games in accordance with the respective set of cardrules that are associated with the succeeding one of the card games, anda code that directs said processor unit to adjust the credit total forthe player according to the result of the succeeding one of the cardgames and with reference to the bet placed by the player.
 11. The gamingapparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said third code furtherincludes a code that directs said processor unit to allow the player toraise or maintain the bet via said user input unit prior to dealing saidanother number of the simulated cards.
 12. The gaming apparatus asclaimed in claim 10, wherein said computer readable storage mediumfurther comprises a fourth code that directs said processor unit toaward the player with bonus credit in the event that the player won ineach of the card games in the sequence.